Photo: BAM Media

Darren Turner to replace Dan Wheldon

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Darren Turner has been signed to replace Dan Wheldon for the Armor All Gold Coast 600. Wheldon was tragically killed in the season final of the IndyCar Series in Las Vegas last weekend.

Turner is going to drive the #1 Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore alongside James Courtney.

The announcement of Turner as replacement for Wheldon marks a finalized entry list for the Gold Coast race. Other changes to the entry list includes Richard Lyons replacing Will Power, who injured his back in the Las Vegas crash, and Allan Simonsen replacing Tony Kanaan.

Three drivers who were involved in the Las Vegas crash have confirmed participation in the Gold Coast race in the form of Ryan Briscoe, Alex Tagliani and Helio Castroneves.

“It was a very sad situation for everyone after Dan’s death yesterday. The offers of support from all levels of the international motorsport community have been amazing and really makes you proud to be a part of this business,” said V8 Supercars CEO Shane Howard, continuing:

“Obviously we were looking forward to having Dan (Wheldon), Will (Power) and Tony (Kanaan) with us, but our thoughts are with them and their families at this time. We are grateful that Richard (Lyons), Allan (Simonsen) and Darren (Turner) could make themselves available at such short notice and we look forward to having them here.

“We also appreciate what Ryan (Briscoe), Alex (Tagliani) and Helio (Castroneves) have been through in the last couple of days and will ensure they are accommodated with what they need over the next week.

“We are looking forward to paying tribute to Dan with a terrific event – one he was very much looking forward to being a part of.”

Final Field – Driver/Co-driver

1 – Holden Racing Team – James Courtney/Darren Turner
2 – TollHolden Racing Team – Garth Tander/Ryan Briscoe
3 – Tony D’Alberto Racing – Tony D’Alberto/Vitantonio Liuzzi
4 – Stone Brothers Racing – Alex Davison/Marc Lieb
5 – Ford Performance Racing – Mark Winterbottom/Richard Lyons
6 – Ford Performance Racing – Will Davison/Mika Salo
7 – Kelly Racing – Todd Kelly/Richard Westbrook
8 – Brad Jones Racing – Jason Bright/Stephane Sarrazin
9 – Stone Brothers Racing – Shane van Gisbergen/Emanuele Pirro
11 – Kelly Racing – Greg Murphy/Oliver Gavin
12 – Triple F Racing – Dean Fiore/Gianni Morbidelli
14 – Brad Jones Racing – Jason Bargwanna/Allan Simonsen
15 – Kelly Racing – Rick Kelly/Jorg Bergmeister
16 – Kelly Racing – David Reynolds/Alex Tagliani
17 – Dick Johnson Racing – Steven Johnson/Dirk Mueller
18 – Dick Johnson Racing – James Moffat/Joey Hand
19 – Tekno Autosport – Jonathon Webb/Gil de Ferran
21 – Britek – Karl Reindler/Fabrizio Giovanardi
30 – Lucas Dumbrell Racing – Warren Luff/Marino Franchitti
33 – Garry Rogers Motorsport – Lee Holdsworth/Simon Pagenaud
34 – Garry Rogers Motorsport – Michael Caruso/Augusto Farfus Jr
39 – Paul Morris Motorsport – Russell Ingall/Jan Magnussen
47 – Stone Brothers Racing – Tim Slade/Helio Castroneves
49 – Paul Morris Motorsport -Steve Owen/Boris Said
55 – Rod Nash Racing – Paul Dumbrell/Christian Klien
61 – Walkinshaw Racing – Fabian Coulthard/Patrick Long
88 – Triple Eight Race Engineering – Jamie Whincup/Sebastien Bourdais
888 – Triple Eight Race Engineering – Craig Lowndes/Andy Priaulx